Drug Offenses

Possession, Distribution, Manufacturing, or Cultivation

A conviction for a felony or misdemeanor drug offense, either possession, distribution, manufacturing or cultivation, will forever change your life. Employment, education, even housing may be unavailable as a result of such a conviction. Unfortunately, drug involvement, even with prescription medication, may be the result of a long-term complicated history that can be corrected with treatment and therapy instead of incarceration. Imprisonment has never cured a drug addiction. Alternatives must be considered and explored quickly. I will be proactive and seek to convince a prosecutor and Judge that there is a better disposition than prison.

Your criminal record is you record for life. You can never afford to "give away" a drug conviction by pleading guilty. The criminal justice system will have a prejudice against you for a drug conviction and any subsequent conviction will have harsher consequences. I am committed to protecting your record.

At the same time, I will protect your constitutional rights. These rights may be the foundation of a successful defense or cause the prosecutor to compromise a disposition. Our laws are designed to protect us from unreasonable and intrusive police conduct. The police need a valid legal reason for a drug search of your person or vehicle. Your home has even greater protections. A legal search for drugs without a warrant must meet a high standard and a search warrant requires truthful and substantial allegations. I will protect you from unreasonable searches and seizures.

Drug convictions require knowledge and control of the controlled substances. Each element must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Often only one element exists and a drug conviction should not result. If the evidence in a drug bust is illegally obtained by the police, it cannot be used against you. I will challenge the existence of these required elements.

Police officers are trained to make citizens say things. However, our laws give us the right to remain silent, to not incriminate ourselves or answer any questions. Often a drug accusation is based on an illegally obtained confession. I will challenge such police action.

As an aggressive and experienced criminal defense attorney, I will reveal these violations of your rights and seek to suppress the evidence which results in a dismissal of the drug charges.

The objective is to minimize the consequences of a drug charge with a dismissal, an acceptable plea agreement or the alternative of a treatment or therapy program, which is more appropriate and productive than incarceration.

As with any criminal accusation, an immediate response and proactive behavior is essential for an aggressive defense and successful disposition of a drug charge. An appointment within 24 hours is usually available.

Attorney Larry D. Combs provides defense for drug related accusations within the 14th judicial district which includes Routt County, Moffat County, and Grand County Colorado. This includes the municipalities of Steamboat Springs, Craig, Hot Sulphur Springs, Oak Creek, and Hayden.